Sermon Outlines . Volume 01 | Issue 12

Your Appointment with the IRS

By Michael Catt

*The following outline is taken from Michael Catt’s sermon series on James. It can be heard here: https://sherwoodbaptist.net/bookstore/products/james-series/254/

James 5: l-6
The Introduction:
60s – Characterized by IDEALISM
80s Characterized by MATERIALISM
70s – Characterized INTROSPECTION
90s – Characterized by FUTILISM

James has already mentioned the rich at three other points. 1:9-11; 2:2, 3, 6; now 5:1-6 Money speaks to us in three ways:

  1. HOLD ON TO ME
  2. HOARD ME
  3. HELP OTHERS

There are two typical reactions to James 5:1-6

  1. Those without money.
  2. Those with money.

I. Guilty of Hoarding v. 1-3

  1. Now’s the time for weeping and howling.
    v. 1; Eccl. 5:11; Matt. 6:19-21; Eccl. 2:18
  2. Now’s the time to stop hoarding. V. 2, 3
    “hoard”
    In this society, there were three primary sources of wealth:
    1. HARVESTED
    2. CLOTHING
    3. PRECIOUS METALS/JEWELS
      “rusted”

II. Guilty of Fraud v.4
“their pay has been withheld”

III. Guilty of Self-Indulgence v. 5, 6

  1. The peril of PROSPERITY.
    “you have lived luxuriously”
  2. The peril of PLEASURE.
    “led a life of wanton pleasure”
  3. Principles to remember:
    1. Money can’t buy HAPPINESS.
    2. Riches can’t save you from HEARTACHE.
    3. God is keeping a LEDGER and PAYMENT is coming due.
    4. A lack of JUDGMENT today doesn’t mean a lack of JUDGMENT tomorrow.
  4. The peril of PERISHING.
    “you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” Amos 6:1-7
    The precepts you cannot violate and have God’s blessings:
    1. The precept of CIRCULATION.
    2. The precept of COOPERATION.
    3. The precept of CULTIVATION.
      “everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” 1 Chron. 29:14.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE PUT ON HOLD
James 5:7-l 1
Be Patient in Your Trials.

I. WAIT and watch.
“patience”

G. Campbell Morgan -“To me the second coming is the perpetual light on the path which makes the present variable. I never lay my head on my pillow without thinking, maybe before the morning breaks, the final morning may have dawned. I never begin my work without thinking that perhaps He may interrupt my work and begin His own.”

STAND and watch. v . 8; II Peter 3:3-9

II. Be Patient With Your Tongue. v. 9ff; Phil. 2:14, 15; Romans 14:10.

Be Patient Because of Past Triumphs. v .10, 11

  1. The perseverance of the PROPHETS.
  2. The perseverance of JOB. v . 11b

WHEN PAIN LEADS TO PRAYER
James 5: 13-20

  1. The Church Should Pray. V. 13-16b
    1. In PROBLEMS. Psalm 50:15
      “suffering”
      “pray”
    2. In PLEASURE. I Chronicles 16:8-12
    3. In PAIN. v. 14-16
      1. Are you SICK SICK ?
        “sick” – v. 14 – astheneo –
        “sick” – v. 15 – kamno –
      2. Call the ELDERS.
      3. Let them PRAY. v. 13-18; James 4:15
        “pray over him”
      4. Anoint with OIL.
        “anoint”
    4. In the PRISON of sin. v. 15

The Christian Should Pray. V. 16b-18

  1. For God to WORK. v. 16b
    “effective prayer” v. 16b
    “earnestly” – v. 17
  2. For STRAYING SAINTS. Gal. 6:1; 1 Peter 4:8
    “If” –
    “strays from the truth”
    “turns him back” – 1 John 5:16; 1 Corinthians 5:5
    “cover”